Snap the Perfect Shot: Let a Local Guide Lead You to Chicago’s Most Instagram-Worthy Views
With its stunning architecture, colorful public art, and scenic natural views, Chicago is an incredibly photogenic city. This metropolis is the perfect place for visitors, content creators, and photographers alike to harness their creativity and capture some memorable shots.
If you’re looking to show off your visit to Chicago and want the best photo ops, here are our top picks for the most Instagram-worthy spots in Chicago, and how you can find them!
Instagram Spots in Chicago For Skyline Views
Chicago’s skyline is iconic. Of course, you need to grab a photo to showcase it! Thanks to the city’s location on Lake Michigan, there are ample locations to photograph the skyline:
Adler Planetarium
The perspective from outside the Adler Planetarium is probably one of the best views of the city. From here you can see all five of Chicago’s tallest buildings, and on a sunny day you can enjoy the turquoise water of Lake Michigan. This is a great photo opportunity if you’re planning to visit Museum Campus, however, you can also join an Ultimate City Bike Tour, which briefly stops here as the tour’s grand finale before heading back to Bobby’s Bike Hike’s headquarters.
One of the standout moments on the Ultimate City Bike Tour is the stop at Adler Planetarium, offering what many consider the best skyline view in Chicago. From this panoramic spot, you can see all five of the city’s tallest buildings rising above the turquoise waters of Lake Michigan—a must-snap photo opportunity. The tour also takes you past other iconic sights like “The Bean,” Navy Pier, Buckingham Fountain, and the Museum Campus. It’s the perfect way to experience Chicago’s greatest hits, all in one scenic, guided ride.
Olive Park
Just north of Navy Pier and a five-minute walk from Bobby’s Bike Hike, stop by Milton Lee Olive Park—another vista along the lake’s beautiful blue waters. Named after a Chicago-born hero and the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor from the Vietnam War, Olive Park is a serene green space of Chicago with panoramic views of the city’s northern skyline.
After taking photos with the city backdrop, you can also lounge in the park’s grassy fields with Navy Pier’s towering Ferris Wheel in the background or take some summery photos at Ohio Street Beach nearby.
Ping Tom Memorial Park
For a lesser-known perspective of the city, check out Ping Tom Park in Chinatown. About three miles south of downtown, you can easily access Chinatown by taking the Red Line train south to Cermak-Chinatown or hopping on a seasonal water taxi, which will drop you off right in Ping Tom Park.
Here you’ll find an excellent view of the Chicago River leading toward the southern skyline and the Willis Tower. In the foreground is a 100+ year-old steel bascule bridge, making for some unique, industrial photos. Stroll around and take some scenic shots with the lush greenery or pagoda pavilion as well.
Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo Nature Boardwalk offers various spots to take some unforgettable photographs. Join a Chicago Lakefront Neighborhoods Bike Tour to see this iconic view of the skyline from a bridge overlooking a lush wildlife preserve. For more artistic shots of the city, you can also stop by the Honeycomb Pavilion, which frames the city skyline in the distance.
One of the highlights of our Chicago Lakefront Neighborhoods Bike Tour is a visit to the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, a serene urban oasis that offers a perfect pause from city streets. You’ll cruise past native wildflowers, spot birds and turtles around the pond, and take in skyline views framed by the iconic honeycomb pavilion. It’s a scenic, photo-worthy stop that blends Chicago’s natural beauty with its architectural charm.
For Historic Architecture
If you want to zoom into the skyline and capture Chicago’s historic architecture up close, head into the heart of downtown.
Riverwalk
Along Chicago’s 1.25-mile Riverwalk, you’ll have an excellent view of both old and new architecture, making for a picturesque backdrop. Snap a photo near the DuSable bridge to capture ornate 1920s structures like the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower, or walk towards the west end of the Riverwalk to feature the monumental Merchandise Mart. Visit at night to take in the glittering cityscape and see Art on The Mart for an even more striking scene.
Chicago Theatre
The Chicago Theatre is one of the most notable sites to photograph in the city. You can’t leave Chicago without taking a photo of or with the bright red sign and glowing marquee, referred to as “an unofficial emblem of the city”.
Located on State Street in the Loop, the theatre originally opened in 1921 as a top-tier movie theatre. As a result, both the interior and exterior were carefully designed in a luxuriously detailed Neo-Baroque and French style. Today it is a live performance venue where icons such as Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Dolly Parton have showcased their talents.
Did You Know: The ‘Y’ shape in the middle of the marquee is called the “municipal device” and it represents the three branches of the Chicago River.
Chicago Cultural Center
A gem hidden in plain sight, the Chicago Cultural Center is a stunning location for photos right across from Millennium Park.
Originally built as a library in 1897, the interior of the Cultural Center is decorated with some of the most ornate and extraordinary details of any building in the city. Entering from Washington Street, you will find a grand staircase leading up to the largest Tiffany glass dome in the world, which is made of about 30,000 pieces of stained glass. On the way up, you will also see intricate mosaic patterns made of Favrile glass, mother-of-pearl, and colored stone.
With all of its grandeur, the Cultural Center is a popular place for engagements and wedding photos, though it’s a less-visited site by the general public. This makes the building a perfect location to take some remarkable photos.
Note: The Cultural Center is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours are subject to change.
The Rookery
Another popular site for wedding photos, The Rookery is one of the many historic buildings in Chicago’s Financial District. Completed in 1888 and renovated by the infamous architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1905, this structure is rightfully deemed an “architectural masterpiece”.
Enter The Rookery from LaSalle Street to step into The Light Court—a breathtaking, sky-lit lobby. This open space is accentuated by gilded white marble columns, a touch of elaborate mosaic along the floor, and ornate lace-like ironwork decorating the staircases and supporting the ceiling of glass
Be sure to stop by The Rookery for a quiet but remarkable photo opportunity.
Note: The Rookery is open every day except Sunday, though it is subject to be closed for private events. Hours vary depending on the day, so check online ahead of your visit.
For Public Art
Chicago boasts not only incredible architecture but also renowned works of public art. Dive into the city’s different neighborhoods to find the best distinctive pieces.
Cloud Gate (a.k.a. “The Bean”)
If you didn’t get a picture with The Bean, were you even in Chicago?! Stop by Millennium Park to see one of the most iconic sites in the city.
Designed by artist Anish Kapoor, the sculpture was officially completed in 2006, and since then has become one of the most photographed sites in the city. Over 20 million people visit the sculpture a year, so expect a crowd.
Despite looking like a bean, the sculpture is meant to resemble mercury. It’s fun to find yourself in the mirror-like surface and take a selfie of your reflection. Or you can pose in front to capture the full magnitude of The Bean.
Cover all of Chicago’s most iconic sights in just one unforgettable ride on the Ultimate City Bike Tour. From gliding past “The Bean” in Millennium Park to soaking in skyline views from North Avenue Beach, this tour weaves through Navy Pier, the Museum Campus, Buckingham Fountain, and the Chicago Riverwalk. You’ll ride safe, scenic paths with a fun local guide, hitting every must-see spot along the way. Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, this tour captures the city in all its glory.
Nine Dragon Wall
Located in Chicago’s Chinatown, the Nine Dragon Wall is a replica of a wall that stands in Beihai Park in Beijing. Chicago’s wall is made of glazed tiles and features nine large dragons colored red, blue, white, and gold, signifying good fortune. The original wall acted as a screen to keep out people and spirits from the Forbidden City, where ancient emperors used to live, and the dragon was a symbol of the emperor in ancient times.
This piece of art is a popular photo opportunity on our Chinatown Food & Culture Walking Tour. If you find yourself in Chinatown, the Nine Dragon Wall’s historical significance and colorful details make it a great place to grab a photo to showcase your time in the neighborhood.
Greetings from Chicago Mural
Located in Logan Square, the Greetings from Chicago mural is a popular piece of street art highlighting numerous aspects of the city, including the sports teams, the skyline, and the food. After being completed in 2015 by artists Victor Ving and Lisa Beggs, it has become a famous symbol for the city, with many visitors taking the Blue Line train north from downtown to take a photo here. Its bright, retro postcard vibes make it an attractive background. There are a few other murals nearby that you can snag a photo with as well.
Wings of Mexico
At the south end of the Magnificent Mile, the Wings of Mexico has become another fan-favorite photo opportunity in downtown Chicago. The piece is a pair of bronze life-size wings in the Plaza of the Americas, which also features a sculpture of Benito Juárez, the first indigenous President of Mexico. Created by Jorge Marín in 2010, these wings toured all around the world before landing in Chicago in May 2022. The Wings of Mexico have provided visitors with a unique backdrop but also impart a symbol of hope and perseverance.
Chicago is a captivating city. With its blend of architecture, culture, and natural beauty, it’s a top destination for photography. Get out and explore, or join a guided Chicago tour to capture some memorable moments at these city sites!
